Help Make an Impact One Box At a Time!
Experts say breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. But did you know that breakfast foods are some of the least donated items at food banks? This can mean that children and families who rely on food banks to fulfill their needs, may be left without options. Which is why we are excited to annually partner with Yankton Food For Thought each November.
Why Cereal?
- Nutritious: Cereal is a great breakfast choice to help people start their day with energy and nutrients. It can provide whole grains, vitamins, and minerals that are often lacking in households.
- Shelf Life: Cereal is non-perishable, so it has a long shelf life and is a great option for food banks.
- Easy to Prepare: Whether for breakfast, lunch or a mid-night snack – cereal is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed by all ages at any time of day.
Serving Up Nutrition with a Double Scoop of Mission
The inspiration for this impactful drive came from Explorers Loan Officer, Brenda Wiedmeier. Over the years, Brenda and her husband, Daryl, have been donating personally to the Yankton Food For Thought Program. Recently, Brenda recognized the growing need for cereal donations, especially around the holidays, and in 2022 she invited her coworkers at Explorers to join her in the cause. Brenda and her husband, Daryle, began this mission by purchasing 100 boxes/bags on their own, then they challenged the Explorers Team to double their donation! “This year was the 3rd year in conjunction with Explorers and our 4th year of donating cereal,” stated Brenda. “We have donated eggs, cheese and other items throughout the years.”
In 2024, with the jumpstart from the Wiedmeiers, Brenda and the Explorers Team were able to deliver 300 boxes/bags of cereal to the Yankton Food For Thought Program.
Programs Supported
Yankton Food For Thought’s Sack Pack Program provides children at risk of hunger with kid friendly foods to ensure they aren’t hungry over the weekends. Sack packs are distributed all year round (summers included!) on Fridays, so kids have food for the weekends. Brenda continued, “Long breaks, such as Christmas vacation, can be hard for families that rely on these food sources. And the need continues to grow.”
The School Food Pantry also provides fresh and shelf stable foods to Yankton School District children and their families two times per month, all year round. Nutritional Education and food preparation education is also made available to participants.
So, if you are looking for an easy, inexpensive way to help families in the Yankton School District – we encourage you to join our Explorers in our mission!
Want to learn more about Yankton Food For Thought?
